ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK. Bells at a diftance.—Their effect.—A fine noon in winter. -A fheltered walk. -Meditation better than books.Our familiarity with the course of nature makes it appear lefs wonderful than it is.-The transformation that spring effects in a fhrubbery described.—A mistake concerning the course of nature corrected.-God maintains it by an unremitted act.-The amusements fashionable at this bour of the day reproved.—Animals happy, a delightful fight. -Origin of cruelty to animals.-That it is a great crime proved from feripture. That proof illuftrated by a tale. -A line drawn between the lawful and unlawful deftruction of them.-Their good and useful properties infift. ed on.An apology for the encomiums bestowed by the auther on animals.Inftances of man's extravagant praise of man.--The groans of the creation shall have an end.— A view taken for the restoration of all things.—An invocation and an invitation of him who shall bring it to pass. -The retired man vindicated from the charge of uselessnefs.-Conclufion. THE TASK. BOOK VI. THE WINTER WALK AT NOON. THERE is in fouls a fympathy with sounds ; บ And with it all its pleasures and its pains. (As in a map the voyager his course) The windings of my way through many years. It feem'd not always fhort; the rugged path, When most fevere, and must'ring all its force, Was but the graver countenance of love; Whofe favour, like the clouds of fpring, might low'r, Threat'ning at once and nourishing the plant. |